Indicating knob-enclosed electrical switch



April 5, 1966 M. H. SMITH ETAL 3,244,821

INDICATING KNOB-ENCLOSED ELECTRICAL SWITCH Filed Sept. 13, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 MEL WM /7. 5M/7'H, MAELAN E. Bou/e/vs, R0 0 GH/CKMAA/ April 5, 1966 M. H. SMITH ETAL INDICATING KNOB-ENCLOSED ELECTRICAL SWITCH Filed Sept. 13, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 if I [J H] nvvavroes MAELAN ET Baum/5, HAROLD Ci H/CKMAA/ A ril 5, 1966 M. H. SMITH ETAL INDICATING KNOB-ENCLOSED ELECTRICAL SWITCH 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 13, 1965 7 (JR/V5} HAEO I G. IL/ICKMA/V H 5 w. h W M E M MAELAA/ E 50 April 5, 1966 sMlTH T L 3,244,821

INDIGATING KNOB-ENCLOSED ELECTRICAL SWITCH Filed Sept. 13, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FI6215. 22 FIG 1a 54 L 541* 1 L 225 p I l I P 4 I 225 545 a 5447 54,0 uuuu 7' -4 FIG. 18. FIG. 19.

lA/VEA/TOES MELV/N H SM/TH,

MAELAN E. BOURA/S, HAROLD G. H/CKMAA/ United States Patent INDICATI'NG KNOB EN CLOSED ELECTRICAL SWITCH Melvin H. Smith, Perris, and MarlanE. Returns and Harold G. Hickman, Riverside, Calih, assignors to Bourns, Inc.

Filed Sept. 13-, 1965, Ser. No. 486,866 17 Claims. (Cl. zen- 11) The invention herein disclosed pertains to small rotary electrical switches and more particularly to switches of the type in which the switching means are housed in the switch-actuating knob. Specifically the invention reposes in a switch in which a plurality of banks or decks of contacts are each contacted by a respective rotary contact structure carried by a rotatable shell which encloses the contacts and serves as a switch housing and which shell rotates on and is supported by stationary structure including a stem and appurtenances which extend through a bushing adapted to be mounted in an aperture in a panel whereby the rotatable switch operating shell and indicating means are disposed at the front face of the panel while the terminals of the switch are disposed at the rear face of the panel.

Numerous types oi small electrical switches are commercially available and others as well are known in the prior art. Principally, however, multi-deck plural-pole rotary switches of the prior art are of a type in which an actuating shaft extends through a bushing for attachment of an actuating knob forwardly of a panel, with the switching structures and terminals disposed rearwardly of the panel; or are very large and cumbersome. The prior art switches mentioned generally either require positionindicating indicia on the panel or do not have means in dicating the active positions of the switching means.

Briefly, the switch according to the present invention comprises supporting means including bushing and appurtenant means for mounting the switch as previously indicated and including stationary means supported by the bushing and providing annularly disposed longitudinallyextending recesses, the switch further comprising annularly-arranged sets of stationary terminal-contact members disposed seelctively in the longitudinally-exten-ding recesses so as to provide, selectively according to contact disposition, 2-pole, 3-pole, or 4-pole arrangements in each of the plurality of decks of stationary contacts, and the switch further having arcuate movable contact devices each having a key disposed in a selected one of a plurality of variously-spaced keyways formed longitudinally along the inner generally cylindrical surface of a rotatable housing shell or barrel-like knob by means of which the movable contacts are adjustably positioned and in which the stationary and movable contacts are housed. Further, the switch is provided, adjacent to the forward or outer end, detent means effective to maintain the movable contact means in set position but yieldable to permit change of setting or adjustment; and also is provided at the extreme outer end with indicator means whereby visible indication of the status of the switch is afforded the operator.

In the presently described exemplary switch according to the invention a very small, compact, simple and inexpensive device is presented which is very efi'icient in utilization of space, permitting in the case of a single'pole switch configuration twelve switch positions in each of two decks of contacts, in a switch structure including detent means and dial-type integral switch-position indicating means, requiring space of only about inch depth (length) and inch diameter at the face of the panel. The switch further is such that space usually required for an actuating knob and shaft at the face of a panel is according to the invention occupied by the switch strucice ture whereby the space usually occupied by the shaftactuatcd switch at the rear of the panel is not required. Further, as will be made more clearly evident, necessity for a knob is eliminated, and the same is true in the case of a shaft. Various switching configurations are possible with a switch according to the invention; for example, single pole-1'2 position, 2 pole-6 position, 3 pole-4 position and 4 pole-3 position switches may be made by changing only contact devices, and that is true whether the switch is of but a single deck, or two decks, or more. As an exemplary configuration, a two-deck switch or 3 pole-4 position character in each deck will be described principally, with significantdetails of other configurations illustrated in the drawings.

The preceding brief general description of the invention makes evident that it is a principal object of the invention to provide improvements in rotary electrical switches.

Another object of the invention is to provide a multiple-contact electrical switch in which the operating components are housed in a rotary housing which forms the means by which the switch is adjusted or operated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a knobenclosed electrical switch having improved indicating means for providing visible indication of the operative position of the switching means.

An additional object of the invention is to provide improved supportingand operating means for a variablepole plural-position rotary electrical switch whereby the number of positions and number of poles in either of a plurality of decks can readily be varied without extensive changes of structure and whereby the terminals are all accessible at one end of the switch.

A further object of the invention is to provide a plural deck multi-contact rotary electric switch adapted for mounting in an aperture formed in a panel with the terminal connections to the switch contacts extending through the aperture for access at the rear of the panel and the switch having its operating parts housed in and operated by a rotatable shell disposed at the front of the panel.

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter be set out or made evident in the appended claims or the following description of the preferred exemplary switch as illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification. In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a pictorial view to no particular scale of the exemplary switch according to the invention, as mounted on a panel and as arranged for three poles per deck, three active positions and an off position, as viewed from in front of the panel; FIGURE 2 is a pictorial view similar to that of FIG- URE l, but showing the rear or inner (terminal) end of the switch depicted in FIGURE 1 and illustrating the deployment of the terminal ends of the terminal-contact members of the switch;

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the exemplary switch depicted in FIGURE 1, grossly enlarged and taken along the axis of the switch, showing the longitudinal dispositions of components including the indicator, detent, rotary shell, supporting means, stationary contacts, rotary contacts, and bushing with hardware, but with some structure removed to improve clarity;

FIGURE 4 is a transverse sectional view of the exemplary switch, structure of which is depicted in FIG- URE 3, the section being taken as indicated by broken line 44 in FIGURE 3, and to an arbitrary scale;

FIGURE 5 is a transverse sectional view of the exemplary switch illustrated in section in FIGURE 3, the section being taken as indicated by broken line 55 in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is a face view of the switch illustrated in a a section in FIGURES 3, 4 and 5, to an arbitrary reduced scale;

FIGURE 7 is a view in section of the exemplary illustrative switch, taken as indicated at broken line 77 in FIGURE 3, but with a portion broken away, showing features of an adjustable stop means adaptable to any of the various modes of operaton or switch configurations of the switching means;

FIGURE 8 is a pictorial view showing relative spatial dispositions of but one common terminal-contact device and a single contact-terminal device with a rotary contact device shown in phantom and bridging the common terminal-contact and the single terminalcontact, the three units being parts of the outer (lower) deck of the exemplary switch and shown in the same operative juxtaposition as obtains in the switch depicted in FIGURES 3, 4 and 5, the scale of the parts being arbitrary;

FIGURE 9 is a view somewhat similar to FIGURE 8, but with the rotary contact device not shown, and showing three common contacts and one only of single contacts, all of the inner (upper) deck of the switch, illustrating relative positions of common and single terminal-contact members or contacts;

FIGURE 10 is a plan View of a rotary contact device of the type used in the switch of FIGURES 1 and 2, shown to an arbitrary scale;

FIGURE 11 is a view in elevation of the rotary contact device depicted in FIGURE 10;

FIGURE 12 is a transverse sectional view of the rotary contact device depicted in FIGURES 10 and 11, the section being taken as indicated by broken line 12-12 of FIGURE 10;

FIGURE 13 is a plan view of a rotary contact switch blade blank prior to bending to the form used in the rotary contact device depicted in FIGURE 10.

FIGURE 14 is a pictorial view of an array of disassembled parts comprised in the indicator end of the switch depicted in part in FIGURES 3, 4 and 5;

FIGURE 15 is a pictorial view, to an arbitrary scale, showing details of contact-receiving recesses in a cylinder part of the supporting means of the switch depicted in section in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 16 is a pictorial view of a detent ring comprised in means for retaining switching means in ad justed position;

FIGURES 17, 18 and 19 are views of various forms of common terminal-contact members used in different switching configurations; and

FIGURES 20, 21 and 22 are face views of indicator dial arrangements for different switch-structure arrangements or configurations.

Referring first to FIGURES 1 and 2, an illustrative exemplary position-indicating knob-enclosed switch, denoted generally by ordinal 10, is depicted as mounted in an aperture in a typical panel 12. The switch is shown to an arbitrary but somewhat enlarged scale, a typical commercial model of the switch having dimensions (forwardiy of the panel) of X As is made evident in the noted drawings, the switch is of generally cylindrical configuration, with a threaded mounting bushing 14 extending through the panel 12 and secured thereto by conventional means such as nut 16 and washer 1'7 at the rear of the switch, and with an inner circular array of terminal-contact members (such as 18) and an outer circular array of terminal-contact members (such as extending from the rear of the switch rearwardly of the panel. A flange or collar 140 (FIGURE 3), provided as a part of the forward end of the bushing, cooperates with the nut and washer to clamp the structure to the panel, with the switch proper forwardly of the panel and with a dial indicator at the extreme front or forwardmost end of the structure. To insure desired angular positioning of the switch in the aperture of the panel and to maintain the switch in the selected angular attitude, the sleeve of the bushing is slotted at 14s (FIG- URE 3), and the washer 17 is provided with an inwardly-projecting key 17k which is accommodated in the slot and is further provided with a lanced tongue 17t which is received in a small hole 1211 provided at a selected location angularly related to the panel aperture so as to locate the switch as may be desired. As is made evident in FIGURE 1, the outer or forward end of the Switch includes the aforementioned dial indicator means for furnishing an indication of the electrical positioning of switching elements, as will hereinafter be more fully explained and described.

With reference now particularly to FIGURE 3, the exemplary 3 pole-4 position two-deck switch here chosen for detailed description includes stationary supporting structure comprising, in addition to a bushing 14, an outer insulation cylinder 22, an insulation sleeve 24 enclosed in the cylinder, an inner insulation ring 26 and an outer insulation ring 28 forwardly of the sleeve, and an insulation support member 30, all coaxially arranged as indicated. Cylinder 22 fits closely the bore of bushing 14, and is adapted to be firmly united thereto as by means of adhesive H, such as epoxy resin, for example, applied at spaced points or throughout in mating peripheral recesses R (indicated at the lower left of the figure) provided at the rear ends of those parts. Thus cylinder 22 is prevented from rotating in the bushing 14. Sleeve 24 is of configuration to be closely encircled by cylinder 22 and is keyed to the latter as by a key 24k (FIGURE 5) which mates with a keyway formed longitudinally along the interior of the cylinder. Similarly, sleeve 24 closely encircles the insulation support 30, and is keyed to the latter by means of a longitudinally-extending keyway therein which accommodates a complementary key 30k (FIGURE 5) provided on the support. Thus the enumerated generally concentric cylindrical elements of the supporting means are adapted to be assembled by longitudinal sliding action and are locked against rotation when the bushing is affixed in a panel.

Referring now to FIGURES 3, 5 and 15, a cincumferential array of longitudinally-extending shaped slots 22s (FIGURE 15) formed in the inner wall of cylinder 22 accommodates the complementary outer array of contactterminal devices (such as 20, FIGURE 5), the slots being variously shaped and arranged for special reasons as will be more fully explained. Also, disposed in a similar circular array of longitudinally extending slots formed in the inside wall of sleeve 24, is a second, inner, circular array of contact-terminal devices (such as 18, FIG- URE 5). As is made apparent in FIGURE 5, the devices of the outer array are maintained in position, each in a respective slot, by the outer cylindrical surface of sleeve 24; and those of the inner array are similarly maintained in position by the outer surface of support 30. The contact-terminal devices are of two sorts, one herein termed single and the other termed common, as will be explained later herein. Following insertion into place between cylinder 22 and sleeve 24, the rear ends of the contact-terminal devices of the outer array thereof are bent outwardly as indicated in FIGURE 3, and each thereof is fixedly secured in place by adhesive, A, applied between the respective terminal portion and sleeve 24. Each of the contact-terminal members of the inner array is similarly fixed in place by adhesive, A, applied as indicated between the respective contacts and a chamfered annular surface formed at the rear end of support 30. Herein after the contact'terminal devices or members may be called contacts, in the interest of brevity only.

As is illustrated in the drawings, and as will become clearly evident hereinafter, the switch structures are so devised and arranged that the contact within either deck can be arranged to form a single-pole switch, a 2-pole switch, a 3-pole switch, or a 4-pole switch. In the singlepole arrangement, eleven contacts are used as single contacts and one which is formed with a ring contact end (FIGURE 17) as a common contact with which common contact any of the single contacts may be electrically connected by a movable contact device illustrated in FIGURES -13 and presently to be described. Thus, the single-pole switch provides eleven active positions plus an off or dead position. In the 2-pole arrangement, two contacts, of form shown in FIGURE 18, are employed as commons, each to be connectible to any one of a respective set of five single contacts. In the 3--pole mode of contact arrangement, three contacts are used as commons (of shape shown in FIGURE 9), each to be connectible to any one of a respective set of three single contacts; and in the 4-pole mode or configuration, four contacts, of shape indicated in FIGURE 19', are commons each of which is connectible to either one of a respective set of two single contacts. The arrangements of contacts are such that in either case the switch has an elf position and as many on active position as there are single contacts in each set. A detailed description will first be set out in respect of a 3-pole arrangement, following which characteristics of the other arrangements will be described,

Referring particularly to FIGURES 3, 8 and 9, the rearwardly-extending portions of contact of both classes are formed of flat strip stock, as exemplified by single contacts 18 of the inner array and 2d of the outer array and by the rearward portions of common contacts 180 (inner array) and 20a (outer array) shown in FIGURES 8 and 9. The forward ends of the single contacts of either deck or array are bent radially outwardly toform contact points disposed in substantially coplanar arrangement for wiping electrical engagement by a movable (rotary) switch con tact device, as indicated at 18c in FIGURE 9 and at 200 in FIGURE 8. The common contacts are of twopiece construction, comprising an arcuate (circular, in the case of a single-pole switch) fiat active contact or collector portion (such as 131', FIGURE 9) arranged to lie in a plane parallel to and spaced from that of the complementary single contacts of the respective array. For example, either of the common contacts 18a (FIGURE 9) comprises an arcuate active contact or collector portion 1dr adapted to be brushed by the movable contact device and has a rearwardly-extending ear 18s that is spotwelded to the rearwardly-extending terminal portion of the contact; and similarly the common contact 2011 (FIGURE 8) of the outer array is of similar two-piece construction.

To precisely space the forward ends of the contacts for cooperative coaction with rotary circuit-closing contact devices, the forward end of sleeve 24 is provided with a suitably interrupted ledge 24a (FIGURE 3) which separates the single contact points 29 of the outer array from the common contact points 20a of that array. Also, the previously mentioned insulator rings 26 and 28, suitably slotted to accommodate the elongate portions of contacts of the inner array, serve respectively to separate the single contact points 18c of the inner array from the arcuate common contact points 20a of the outer array, and the arcuate common contact 18a from the single contacts of the inner array. Thus for each deck of the switch (each deck corresponding to a respective array of contacts) there are contact points disposed generally in two spaced-apart transverse planes, as indicated in FIGURE 3 byU (single contacts) and V (common contacts) for the outer array and by W and X for the inner array.

To bridge the gap between a common contact of an array and any selected one of the single contacts associated therewith, specially formed rotary contact devices are provided. In the single-pole switch configuration, only one of the rotary contact devices per deck is sufficient; however, for each deck as many of the rotary devices are required as there are poles in the contact arrangement, as will later herein the made evident. The rotary contact devices, designated generally by ordinal 40, are of special configuration depicted in detail in FIGURES 10, 11 and 12. Each comprises an insulator head 42 shaped and adapted to fit in a complementary keyway-like groove in a rotary housing shell which also serves as a driving means, and further comprises two fusion-united folded conductive members formed as two pairs of electrically interconnected spring leaf contact members, 43a, 43b and 44a, 44b, respectively. The arcuate conductive members, 43 and 44, are initially identical and of flat perforated conductive spring sheet material of shape depicted in FIGURE 13. The flat sheets are deformed and doubly bent to the form indicated in FIGURES 10, 11 and 12, and are then jigged and spot-welded together as at areas x-x (FIGURES 11 and 12) to form what may be regarded as an integral electrically conductive structure. The insulator head 42 of the rotary contact device is preferably formed of thermoplastic resin, of keystone shape indicated in FIGURES 10' and 11 and having spaced tits 42: arranged to fit in respective ones of apertures 44h (FIGURE 13) provided in the channels of the conductive members. The head 42 is of channel-shape in cross-section as depicted in FIGURE 12, the channel being shaped to closely receive the middle channel shaped portions of the integrated spring leaf contact members. Following seating of the integral structure comprising the latter members in the channel of the head 42 and with the tits 42! extending through the apertures, the tits are heat-deformed (flattened in the manner of heading a rivet) as illustrated at 422 in FIGURE 12. The deformed tits serve to firmly anchor or secure the spring leaf contact members to the insulator head. As is evident from FIG- URE 11, the structure of the rotary contact device is such that onepair of the contact springs, e.g., 43a-43b, is arranged and adapted t-o'engage an :arcuate common contact point (such as ISr) while the other pair, e.g., Ma-44h, is oifset from the first pair and is arranged and adapted to engage any of the associated single contact point (such as 1 8 0) of the respective deck. Thus by rotation of the rotary contact device around the outside of the circular array of contacts, bridging connection across selected contact points may be effected.

In accord with objects of the invention, the rotary contact devices (one or more per deck of the switch) are arranged to be variably positioned as required for effecting desired contact-point interconnection, by rotation of the previously mentioned housing shell which at once serves the several functions of housing the operating parts of the switches, actuating the latter when it is rotated, and providing part of the means that are eifective to furnish a visible indication of the condition of the switches of the several decks. This multiple-function housing and actuating device is a cylindrical shell structure having a transparent forward end cap or closure, the exemplary structure as herein depicted being of two-piece form with the pieces permanently secured each to the other as by adhesive. The device, forming a knob-like rotary shell 50 (FIGURES 1 and 3), is thus conveniently and preferably constructed during switch assembly from a rear portion 50a and a front cover or cap portion 50c. Portion 50a is formed with an annular rear inner bearing surface Sill) arranged to slide on a complementary forward annular surface of cylinder 22 and to cooperate with the latter and a ring seal 52 in excluding foreign matter from the housing. The portion Stla is further formed With an annular inwardly-extending flange 50f, which serves to bear on a complementary annular bearing surface 541) provided on a rearward portion of a stationary detent ring 54 (FIGURE 16), which will presently be described. A forward end of portion 50:: of the rotary housing shell is closely engaged by a rearward end of cap portion 500, to form a lap joint which is made permanent and fluid-tight by adhesive applied during assembly operations. Portion 500 is made to have a transparent face Silt which bears a radial indicator mark I as shown in FIGURE 1, for indicating the rotary position of the shell relative to stationary indicia.

The rotary shell 50, as is indicated in the transverse cross-sectional view in FIGURE 5, is formed with a plurality of longitudinally-extending internal dovetail or keyway slots 50s, 502?, Still, 50v, Siiw and 50x, spaced as indicated, in any of which slots one or more of the rotary spring leaf contact device heads 42 may be fitted. As is depicted in FIGURE 5, in the exemplary 3-pole, two-deck switch arrangement of the components illustrated in detail there are six of the heads 42-, arranged two per slot, in superposed relationship, in each of slots 50s, 50a, and 50w, leaving slots th, 50v and 50x vacant. As will be evident, if a 2-pole switch is desired, rotary spring leaf contact device heads 42 would be disposed only in diametrically opposite slots 50s and Sttv (or, alternatively, in Sflt and Siix); and if a 4-pole switch were desired, heads would be disposed in slots 50s, Stir, 50v and 50x. Similarly, if a single-pole switch is desired, the heads would be disposed in but a single one of the dovetail slots, preferably slot 50s. The superposed relationship of contact device heads in the shell is illustrated in FIGURE 3 (upper forward portions), wherein heads 42 and 42 are disposed in slot 50s. It will be understood that in the case of each of the switch pole configirations noted, i.e., single-pole, 2pole, etc., a respective configuration of single and common terminal-contact members would be arranged, as will later herein be more fully made evident.

The aforementioned detent ring 54 (see FIGURES 3, 4 and 16) is mounted upon a step surface 30p of the central support 30 (FIGURE 3), and is prevented from rotation on the support, as by making the step of polygon cross-section and the aperture 54q (FIGURE 16) at the base of the detent ring to conform to the polygon. The detent ring is held rearwardly against a supporting face provided on support 39, by other parts including an adjustable stop device presently to be described. The adjustable stop device (shown disassembled and with forward parts to the left, in FIGURE 14) comprises a stationary stop plate 60 formed of strong sheet metal and having a plurality of pairs of extensions 60a that are bent rearwardly to extend at right angles to the general plane of the plate and each of which pairs of extensions 60a is arranged to fit in a respective one of an annular series of four shallow outwardly facing recesses 541' (FIGURES 4 and 16) that are formed in four forwardly extending projections 54p provided as integral parts of detent ring 54. The stop device further includes an adjustable stop ring 62 (FIGURE 14) which is dimensioned to be rotatable on the outer edges of three l-anced projections 66 (FIGURES 7 and 14) produced at the outer face of stop plate 60. As indicated in FIGURES 7 and 14, the stop ring 62 is provided with a bent-down key 62k which is disposed and dimensioned to repose in any selected one of radial notches Giin formed around the periphery of stop plate 68. Further, the stop ring is held in place on the face of plate 60 and for rotation on projections 60p, by means of a dial plate 64- which is secured to the forward faces of the lanced projections 60p as by spot-welding (as indicated by weld marks) to the latter with the stop ring 62 in place as shown in FIGURE 7.

Stop plate 60 is in turn held in place on the end of the central support 30 by a screw 61 (FIGURE 3) as indicated and is provided with a fixed stop 69s (FIGURES 7 and 14) which extends radially outwardly from the body of the plate. The adjustable stop ring 62, also, is provided with a radially-extending stop, 62s, which may be adjusted toward or away from fixed stop 60s by springing key 62k forwardly out of a notch 60;: and rotating the ring 62 to position the stop 62s as required for a particular switch configuration, whether l-pole, 2-pole, 3-pole, or 4- pole. The two stops, 60s and 62s, define limits beyond which a stop abutment Stlq (FIGURE 3, upper right, and FIGURE 7) provided on shell 50 is thereby restricted from traveling. Thus it is evident that the extent of permitted arcuate or rotational travel of housing shell 50 and the spring leaf blade rotary switch devices is adjustably determined by the position of stop 62s relative to stop s. Accordingly, for accommodation of a 3-pole switching arrangement, stop 62s is disposed at little more than 120 from stop 60s by setting key 62k into the proper (fourth) notch 6011; and similarly is disposed a little more than 90 from stop 60s (with key 62k in the third notch) for a 4- pole switch arrangement.

Adhesively secured to the forward face of dial plate 64 is an indicia-bearing dial 66 (FIGURES 3 and 14).

The 3-pole switch arrangement uses a dial 66 marked as depicted in FIGURES l and 6, and uses three common terminal contacts per array, of the form and arrangement shown in FIGURES 8 and 9. For a singlepole arrangement, a dial 66 as depicted in FIGURE 20, and ring-type common terminal contact devices 181" of form shown in FIGURE 17, are used. Similarly, for a 2-pole switch two common terminal contacts ISr" of form shown in FIGURE 18, per deck, and a dial 66" as depicted in FIG- URE 21, are used. For a 4-pole configuration, common contact points such as 18 of FIGURE 19, and a dial 66 as shown in FIGURE 22, are used.

To retain the shell 5t) and the spring leaf blade contact devices in any adjusted switching position, shell 50 is provided adjacent the inner forward end of portion 50a with an annular series of alternating inwardly-extending teeth or ridges 50] and intervening spaces 5% (FIGURE 4), which alternating elements are arranged to coact with two spring-urged detent dogs 70 which are adapted to oscillate radially in respective slots 54s (FIGURE 16) defined between pairs of the previously noted projections 54p of the detent ring 5-4. Detent dogs 7b are formed of self-lubricating material such as nylon, and are urged radially outwardly into engagement with the inner undulatory surface of shell Si) by spring devices 72 each of Whose ends are embedded in respective ones of the dogs as indicated in FIGURE 4. The cam-like action of the dogs is such as to urge the shell 50 to rotate or continue to rotate, until the dogs repose in respective ones of spaces 50/1, at which positional status the spring leaf contact members 43a, 43b and 44a, 44b will grip therebetween respective ones of commons contacts and single contacts, to perform the switch function. Manual rotation of shell 50 alternately causes teeth 50] to force the dogs inwardly and permits return of the dogs outwardly, in an obvious fashion.

Referring now to FIGURE 15, the general arrangement and configuration of slots for reception and retention of various arrangements of two-piece common terminal-contact members, and single terminal-contact members, is displayed. As indicated, slots that are 180 apart, and 120 apart, and apart, are in part deeper and are provided with steps such as 22s, whereby to accommodate (if necessary) the two-piece contact members used as commons or collectors. Similar provision is made with respect to the slots provided in the interior of sleeve 24 for reception of the contacts of the inner array. As is indicated in FIGURE 5, there are twelve terminal-contact devices in each of the inner and outer arrays of contacts, despite that for clarity of illustration only one single terminal-contact device is shown with three common contact devices in FIGURE 9.

As will be evident to those skilled in the art, the structure can readily be converted to a single deck switch by simply omitting one array of contacts and the associated rotary contact device or devices. Similarly, by reducing the diameter of support 3i and increasing the length of the latter and of shell 5i, and by adding slotted sleeve means, contact members in array, and more contact heads 42 with contacts, the switch structure can readily be made in three-deck and four-deck forms.

The preceding detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention makes evident the attainment of the aforementioned objects. In the light of the disclosure, changes within the true spirit and scope of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art, and ac- 9 cordingly it is not desired that the. invention be limited to the specific details of the exemplary embodiment. except as may be required by the appended claims.

We. claim:

1. An electrical switch of the rotary type adapted to be. mounted in an aperture ina panel, said switch having a forward end for disposition in. front of such panel and a rearward end for disposition in the rear such panel, said switch comprising:

first means, including bushing means, arranged to be rigidly secured inan aperture in. a mounting panel, said first means including stationary supporting means a-ffixed to said bushing. means; second means, including an annular array of elongate conductive members supported in generally parallel relationship in said stationary supporting means and insulated thereby each: from the other,.each. member having an exposed contact end forwardly of said bushing means and a terminal end extending rearwardly of said bushing means;

third means, including a cylindrical rotary housing shellsupported by said first means for axial rotation, saidshellenclosing the contact ends. of said conductive members and being spaced therefrom; and

fourth means, including rotary contact means including resilient contact means and means connecting said resilient contact means-to said shell for rotationthere.-

with incident to rotation of the shell, said resilient contact means engaging, selectively, first and second contact ends: of said conductive members of the array thereof to thereby electrically interconnect such first and) second contact ends,-

whereby selective switching and electrical interconnection of pairs of said conductive. members is etfected Within said shell incident to. rotation. of the shell forwardly of said bushing. means and external electrical circuit connections to. said switch. are made rearwardly of said bushing.

2. Anelectrical switch according to: claim 1, including at the forward end of said. stationary supporting means an indicator dial bearing position indicia; representative of switch positions, and said shell including. a. transparent front face bearing. an indicator line arranged in. cooperative relationship with saidv dial to provide. visible indicationsof the current positioning of the said rotary contact means insaid shell.

3. An electrical. switch according. to claim. 1,. including a. second array of elongate conductive members. supported by said supporting means and arranged coaxially with the first-named array of such members, and further including a. plurality of rotary contact devices in said rotary contact means and including at least one of said contact devices associated with each respective array of conductive members, whereby incident to rotation of said housing shell two separate switching operations are concurrently carried out in said housing shell.

4. An electrical switch. according to claim 1', including in said rotary contact means a plurality of rotary contact devices each including respective resilient contact means and respective means connecting such resilient contact meansto" said housing shell at respective arcuately spaced locations within said shell, each of' said resilient? contact means interconnecting a respective pair of said: elongate conductive members and being movable to a position in which such interconnection is disrupted.

5. An electrical switch according to claim 4, including a second array of elongate conductive members arranged annularly and coaxially with the first-named array of such members, and including associated with said second array of elongate conductive members a respective second plurality of rotary contact devices each including respective resilient contact means and means connecting the latter resilient contact means to said housing shell at respective arcuately spaced locations within said shell, each of the latter resilient contact means interconnecting a respective means: cooperate to maintain pair of said elongate conductive members of said second array and being movable to. a. positon in which such interconnection. is disrupted, whereby within said shell and incident. to rotation; thereof electrical switching occurs at at least two arcuately spaced-apart locations in each of said first and second arrays of conductive members.

6. An electrical switch of the multiple-contact rotary typev adapted. to be mounted in. an aperture in a mounting paneL, saidswitch having a. forward portion to be disposed forwardly of such panel. and a. rear portion to be disposed rearwardly of the panel, said switch being. of generally elongate. cylindrical configuration. and comprising:

first. means, including generally cylindrical bushing means for attachment to a. panel in. an aperture in the latter, said bushing means encircling a longitudinal axis;

second. means, including stationary supporting means of generally cylindrical. form secured in said bushing means with an axis generally concident with the longitudinal. axis. of said bushing means, said supporting, means having. forward and rearward ends; third means, includingan. annular array of elongate conductive. terminal-contact. members disposed about said'axis and disposed each generally parallel to said axis with a rearward terminal. end extending rearwardly of said. bushing-means and with a forward end disposed forwardly of said. bushing: means and with a forwardend portion arranged as a contact disposed transversely of said axis, said terminal-contact members extending through. and supported by said supporting means and; each insulated from the others; fourth means,. including a generally cylindrical housing shell arranged generally coaxial with said supporting means and. arranged for rotation about said axis, ,said shell encircling. and radially spaced from. said forward end portions of said contact members; and fifth means, including rotary contact means attached tov said shell to be rotated thereby and therewith inside said. shell, said rotary contact means being. disposed generally between said shell and the contact ends of' said terminal-contact members and having conductive means movable incident to rotation of said shell to selectively interconnect any of said members with another thereof, whereby when mounted in an aperture. in a panel said shellis disposed in front of the panel for housing the rotary contact means of the switch and rotatable to effect switching, and whereby terminal connections to. the switch. are disposed at the rear of the panel.

7. An electrical switch according. to claimv 6,. said second means. supporting at the forward end. of said supporting means indicator dial means disposed generally in a plane transverse. to. said. axis, and said housing shell including. a transparent cap at the. forward. end through which said. dialmeans is. visible, said cap and dial means bearing. cooperative indiciafor indicating the postion of said rotary contact means relative to said terminal-contact members.

8. An. electrical switch according to claim 6, said second. means: supporting at the forward endthereof yielding detent means and said housing shell having on an interior surface thereof an annular series of detentengaging formations with which: the said yielding detent the switch in any of selected determined rotary posit'ons.

electricalswitch according to. claim 6, in which said: terminal-contact members are of twotypes including one comprising a commonor collector contact and another comprising a single contact, and inwhich array there are at least two common contacts and at least two sets of single contacts each set of which is associated with a respective one of the common contacts, and in which fifth means there is comprised at least two rotary contact devices, one for each common contact and associated set of single contacts of said array of contacts, whereby said switch concurrently effects switching in the respective array of terminal-contact members by each of said rotary contact devices.

10. An electrical switch according to claim 6, in which said third means includes a second annular array of said elongate conductive-terminal-contact members disposed about said axis and concentrically of the first-named array, and in which said fifth means includes with said rotary contact means second rotary contact means associated with the said second annular array of said elongated conductive terminal-contact members, said second rotary contact means being attached to said shell and being structurally and functionally similar to the firstnamed thereof, whereby said switch comprises two switching decks concurrently housed in and operated by rotation of said housing shell.

11. An electrical switch according to claim 10, in which said terminal-contact members are of two types including one comprising a common or collector contact and another comprising a single contact, and in each of which arrays of terminal-contact members there are at least two common contacts and at least two sets of single contacts each set of which sets comprises at least two contact members and is associated with a respective one of the common contacts, and in which fifth means there is comprised for each array of contact members at least two rotary contact devices, one for each common contact and associated set of single contacts of the respective array, whereby said switch concurrently effects switching by each of a plurality of said rotary contact devices in each of a plurality of switching decks by rotation of said housing shell.

12. An electrical switch according to claim 11, said second means including at the forward end of said stationary supporting means first and second relatively adjustable stop means for providing first and second movement-limiting stop devices one of which is adjustable relative to the other, and said housing shell including a movable stop member rotatable therewith along a circular path interrupted by said first and second relatively adjustable stop means, whereby rotary switching movements of said shell and rotary contact devices are limited by said stop devices to thereby restrict coaction of any of said rotary contact devices to switching coaction with only the respective associated common contact and set of single contacts.

13. An electrical switch according to claim 12, said second means supporting at the forward end thereof yielding detent means and said housing shell having on the interior thereof an annular series of detent-engaging formations with which the said yielding detent means cooperate to maintain the switch in any of selected determined rotary positions.

14. An electrical switch according to claim 13, said second means further supporting at the forward end thereof indicator dial means disposed in a plane transverse to said axis, and said housing shell including a transparent cap at the forward end thereof through which said dial means is visible, said cap and dial means bearing cooperative indicia for indicating the position of said rotary contact means relative to said terminal-contact members.

15. An electrical switch adapted to be mounted on a panel at an aperture therein and adapted to provide indications of several switch positions at the front thereof, said switch comprising:

first means, including stationary means, adapted to be secured to a panel and to extend in part through the panel to the rear thereof, said stationary means defining an axis;

1 2. second means, including a generally cylindrical housing shell and actuating device rotatably mounted on said first means for manual rotation about said axis to anyof several predetermined positions; third means, including fixed and movable switch contact means disposed between said stationary means and said housing shell and enclosed by the latter with the movable switch contact means connected to said shell for rotational movement therewith incident to rotation of the shell; and fourth means, including indicator means having fixed indicator means supported by said supporting means at the forward end thereof and having movable indicator means afiixed to and movable by said housing shell incident to rotation of the latter and disposed in juxtaposition to the fixed indicator means, for indicating the position of said rotary contact means relative to said fixed switch contact means. 16. An electrical switch according to claim 15, including in said first means and supported by said stationary means at the forward end thereof, first and second adjustable stop means providing first and second movement-limiting stop devices one of which is adjustable relative to the other, and said housing shell including a movable stop member rotatable therewith along a circular path interrupted by said first and second adjustable stop means, whereby rotary switching movements of said shell and movable switch contact means are limited by said adjustable stop devices to restrict coaction of said movable switch contact means to switch coaction with selected ones of said fixed switch contact means. 17. An electrical switch adapted to be mounted on a panel at an aperture therein and adapted to provide indications of several switch positions at the front thereof, said switch comprising:

first means, including stationary means, adapted to be secured to a panel and to extend in part through the panel to the rear thereof, said stationary means defining an axis; second means, including a generally cylindrical housing shell and actuating device rotatably mounted on said first means for manual rotation about said axis to any of several predetermined positions; third means, including ,at least one annular array of stationary contact-terminal devices supported by said stationary means and each having a terminal end disposed for access adjacent the rear end of the stationary means and each having a contact end disposed between said stationary means and said housing shell and encircled by the latter; fourth means, including rotary contact means attached to said housing shell and rotatable around said stationary means incident to rotation of said housing shell, said rotary contact means having electrically-connected contacts disposed for selectively engaging and electrically interconnecting pairs of said contact-terminal devices; and fifth means, including indicator means having fixed indicator means supported by said supporting means at the forward end thereof and having movable indicator means affixed to and movable by said housing shell incident to rotation of the latter and disposed in juxtaposition to the fixed indicator means, for indicating the position of said rotary contact means relative to said third means.

No references cited.

KATHLEEN H. CLAFFY, Primary Examiner. 

1. AN ELECTRICAL SWITCH OF THE ROTARY TYPE ADAPTED TO BE MOUNTED IN AN APERTURE IN A PANEL, SAID SWITCH HAVING A FORWARD END FOR DISPOSITION IN FRONT OF SUCH PANEL AND A REARWARD END FOR DISPOSITION IN THE REAR SUCH PANEL, SAID SWITCH COMPRISING: FIRST MEANS, INCLUDING BUSHING MEANS, ARRANGED TO BE RIGIDLY SECURED IN AN APERTURE IN A MOUNTING PANEL, SAID FIRST MEANS INCLUDING STATIONARY SUPPORTING MEANS AFFIXED TO SAID BUSHING MEANS; SECOND MEANS, INCLUDING AN ANNULAR ARRAY OF ELONGATE CONDUCTIVE MEMBERS SUPPORTED IN GENERALLY PARALLEL RELATIONSHIP IN SAID STATIONARY SUPPORTING MEANS AND INSULATED THEREBY EACH FROM THE OTHER, EACH MEMBER HAVING AN EXPOSED CONTACT END FORWARDLY OF SAID BUSHING MEANS AND A TERMINAL END EXTENDING REARWARDLY OF SAID BUSHING MEANS; THIRD MEANS, INCLUDING A CYLINDRICAL ROTARY HOUSING SHELL SUPPORTED BY SAID FIRST MEANS FOR AXIAL ROTATION, SAID SHELL ENCLOSING THE CONTACT ENDS OF SAID CONDUCTIVE MEMBERS AND BEING SPACED THEREFROM; AND FOURTH MEANS, INCLUDING ROTARY CONTACT MEANS INCLUDING RESILIENT CONTACT MEANS AND MEANS CONNECTING SAID RESILIENT CONTACT MEANS TO SAID SHELL FOR ROTATION THEREWITH INCIDENT TO ROTATION OF THE SHELL, SAID RESILIENT CONTACT MEANS ENGAGING, SELECTIVELY, FIRST AND SECOND CONTACT ENDS OF SAID CONDUCTIVE MEMBERS OF THE ARRAY THEREOF TO THEREBY ELECTRICALLY INTERCONNECT SUCH FIRST AND SECOND CONTACT ENDS, WHEREBY SELECTIVE SWITCHING AND ELECTRICAL INTERCONNECTION OF PAIRS OF SAID CONDUCTIVE MEMBERS IS EFFECTED WITHIN SAID SHELL INCIDENT TO ROTATION OF THE SHELL FORWARDLY OF SAID BUSHING MEANS AND EXTERNAL ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT CONNECTING TO SAID SWITCH ARE MADE REARWARDLY OF SAID BUSHING. 